Replacement Brake Master Cylinders

[kangaroosa]

My research tells me that:

GA Galant Master Cylinders can be fitted to a KE10 - KE20 - possibly more.

GD Galant Master Cylinder has an even bigger bore.

Suzuki Swift into a KE25 - Possibly an RX2 one. (one of Redwarfs comments)

Pajero Master Cylider is best suited to Larger Calipers.

 

Basically i want to know if either of the GA or GD Galant master cylinders fit into a KE30 also. I'm not sure whether there is a difference between my car and the earlier models, that would prevent this swap. The bloke at my auto parts shop seems to think it will work (by looking through his catalogues), but i am hoping someone can actually confirm this.

Anyone know for sure whether the GD (larger bore) master cylinder will be too much for a KE30 with KE70 calipers.

Am I correct in saying that the thread on the Galant master cylinders is the same as the thread on my KE30 brake line fittings? Corolla Kid stated thats its a straight swap for his KE20, so i assume there were no probs with different thread pitches/diameters.

 

I have just finished installing the KE70 Girlock calipers and rotors onto my KE30. The brakes now feel really spongey and don't lock up as easy as my Sumitomo calipers did. I have bled the brakes a few times, but still nothing seems to change.

 

With my original Sumitomo's, the first two applications of the brakes in the morning used to lock the rear wheels without even trying. On every brake application from then on, the brakes were back to normal.

 

In the new year I plan to take it to a brake specialist and have the brake lines flushed and bled again. They can then assess the situation and give their opinion if they havent fixed the problem already.

I just want this info sorted, so its on hand if i have to change the master cylinders.

 

I hope i didnt leave anything out. :)

[Super Jamie]

no, it won't fit

 

you need a different MC for ke10/20 because they have a different bolt pattern on the firewall than ke30

 

the big upgrade for ke30/55/70 is the pajero MC like fook's running, but i think that would be far too big for ke70 calipers

 

factory ke30 and ke70 master cylinders are the same size, are they not? so in reality, you've just mirrored a ke70 setup with a ke30 booster. i believe the boosters are smaller on the earlier cars (10s and 20s do not have boosters at all, they're not even dual circuit! that's the only reason you'd put an early galant booster on a 10/20 anyway)

 

not being able to lock your brakes is a good thing. step on the anchors properly in a brand new corolla with decent brakes and you'll be pretty hard pressed to lock anything up. locking up is the worst form of braking you can have, the idea is to get rid of it

 

have your lines pressure bled, but i reckon you'll get used to it in time. i thought the same thing when i changed from jap calipers to girlock calipers on my ke25, but after doing a few experiments and actually testing the brakes from known braking landmarks i had before, the car actually did stop alot better, despite the fact the pedal felt different

 

pads may also have something to do with this. hassle teddy to get a wheel off his ke70 and tell you what pads are in it, it stops better than any stock-brake corolla i have ever driven in my life!

 

your rubber lines may also be a bit on the dodgy side. you can get adr-approved braided lines which would likely improve the situation

[Rolla__Boy]

KE30 and KE55 have different physical size boosters, and the KE55 has a master cylinder with one big square resevoir, and the KE30 ones have the split one.

 

I have a KE30 booster and MC on my KE35, with KE55 Girlock calipers....and it is normal

[kangaroosa]

Thanks Jamie. So worst case would mean just using a new replacement KE30 master cylinder if mine is cactus.

 

I appreciate the ability not to lock the brakes is a good thing, but it just feels as if there is not as much grab in the brakes. I jumped on them a few times, and they just didnt really show signs of wanting to really grab and lock up. The car does brake alright though.

 

I actually installed my Lovells super low springs whilst i was at it. They could also be affecting the feel of my braking, as these springs are alot softer than the ones i had previously. Let me say - Lovells idea of "super low" is my idea of 4x4.

 

I had the calipers rebuilt (didnt need pistons apparently), so its safe to assume the problem isnt within the calipers. I'm using Bendix General CT pads with the Titanium strip.

I was told they are not metallic and wont kill my new rotors, so they got plucked off the shelf.

They are rear VN Commodore pads and didnt need shaving to make them fit. They just slid over the new rotors with about 2mm to spare.

 

I guess i'll wait till the experts have a play with it and take it from there.

 

Thanks to Rolla Boy too.

[Rolla__Boy]

That's a good point, about the springs...I forgot about that, the extra weight transfer from the softer springs will make it feel different when braking

[Corolla_Kid]

Yeah the galant master cylinder goes straight into a 20 not much help for you though. Although the dual circuit is better from a safety viewpoint.